(Newser)
–
Ricky Martin said he reassured Gianni Versace's longtime partner, Antonio D'Amico, that the pair will be treated respectfully in a TV drama about Versace's 1997 murder, the AP reports. "I'll make sure people fall in love with your relationship with Gianni," Martin, who plays D'Amico in FX's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, recounted telling him. Martin said he spoke by phone Wednesday to D'Amico after he had publicly criticized the series for what he called inaccuracies. It's in production and set to air in January. Executive producer Ryan Murphy, taking part in a panel discussion Wednesday, said D'Amico may have been judging the project based on a paparazzi photo snapped during filming outside Versace's Miami Beach mansion. It's where the famed fashion designer was shot by serial killer Andrew Cunanan.

But Murphy said the series is a drama and not a documentary, adding, "You have to be respectful but make it your own." It's part of his American Crime Story anthology that began with the Emmy-winning The People v. OJ Simpson. The reference to "assassination" in the title is deliberate, Murphy said. The word has a political overtone that indicates killing to make a point, "and that's exactly what Andrew Cunanan did," he said of the man believed to have killed at least four others before Versace. Cunanan committed suicide about a week later as police tracked him. Cunanan was targeting gay men, and Versace was among the rare celebrities who dared to be open about their sexuality in a more repressive time, Murphy said. That motivation and law enforcement's failure to stop the murders, which Murphy blamed on homophobia, were chief reasons he decided to make the series.

". . .and law enforcement's failure to stop the murders, which Murphy blamed on homophobia, were chief reasons he decided to make the series." Celebrities and "artists" and "creative people" are so clueless about the real world. They expect everything to be nice and tidy and complete. . .much as it is in their insipid TV shows and movies. Yes, Ryan Murphy. . .it was because of law enforcement's failures and homophobia that they did not immediately apprehend a crazed, psychotic serial murderer. It was simply because of failures on the part of the police and hatred of gays. You are a tool Ryan Murphy. Perhaps you can get out there and track down the next, or a current, serial killer. I am sure the killing will stop quickly with you on the case. Celebrity tool.

Lefty Libby

Aug 10, 2017 1:44 PM CDT

Whatever. Cunanan moved quite rapidly. A couple of his victims were random people, who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. He needed their vehicles to continue his escape. The police actually caught him pretty quickly, and no one could've predicted the way he targeted Versace. Good riddance to bad rubbish (Cunanan, not Versace).